Tire buying guide
Tires are one of the most important items on your car and need to be replaced a number of times during the lifetime of your
vehicle. They all might look similar in the store, but tires perform quite differently in our tests. Use this tire buying
guide to choose the right tire for your budget and needs.
- Tire care
- Failure signs
- Using nitrogen
- Run-flats
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Run-flats
Safety benefits outweigh problems
Tires that can be driven on for 50 miles or more with no air in them enable drivers to get to a mechanic without having to change the tire after a puncture. Run-flat tires are more than just a convenience; they can add a measure of security by eliminating the need to change a tire in bad weather or in dangerous roadside areas.
While run-flats—which are increasingly common on new vehicles—provide substantial safety benefits, they have some disadvantages, which can be glossed over in the car dealership. Some owners of run-flat tires have complained of premature or uneven wear in certain applications, a stiff ride, high replacement costs, and limited replacement choices. Some owners also say they want the added security of a spare tire, and cars with run-flat systems don't usually carry them.
Trade-off Run-flat tires maintain their shape after air loss (above, right) and can be a great convenience and a safety asset compared
with regular tires. But some run-flats are very expensive to replace, and replacement models are limited.
What they are
Run-flat tires are self-supporting tires, found on vehicles like the BMW 3 series, Toyota Sienna and Chevrolet Corvette, have very stiff sidewalls to maintain their ability to carry the vehicle load after air loss. But the added stiffness can lead to a harsh ride.
Some vehicle owners have complained that they were unaware their cars had run-flats when they bought them and only found out when they had to replace the tires. Some all-wheel-drive Sienna owners gripe of needing a new set after just 15,000 miles, at a cost of $800 or more. Conventional all-season tires typically last 40,000 miles or longer, and most cost less.
Run-flats are typically found on higher-end sports cars and sedans and models with limited space for a spare. Owners of high-performance cars might not object to the stiffer-riding sidewalls of run-flats, since most of those cars ride on stiff tires to begin with.
The bottom line
Despite the disadvantages and inconveniences of run-flat tires for many, Consumer Reports believes that the safety benefits can outweigh the downsides. And the technology behind them is improving while prices are coming down.
Consumer Reports also recommends that you know what kind of tires a car comes with before you consider buying it.
For more information on run-flat tires, see our related reports:
Toyota Sienna AWD run-flat tires wear well for us
Toyota Sienna AWD tires - patience wearing thin
Toyota extends run-flat tire warranty
Toyota Sienna run-flat tires? Spare us.
Run-flat tires go flat with our readers
Discuss run flat tires in our Tire Talk forum for online-subscribers.
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See also:
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Special Section:
Guide to car maintenance
